Record number of new-build semi-detached houses registered in 2016

The number of new semi-detached homes being registered during 2016 reached its highest levels in at least 30 years, according to housebuilding industry figures.

Registrations of new-build detached homes across the UK also reached their highest levels since 2004 last year, according to the National House Building Council (NHBC), which said the sector has "remained resilient" despite the caution surrounding Brexit.

The NHBC's registration figures are taken from builders who are responsible for around 80% of homes constructed in the UK.

Builders are required to register a house with the NHBC, a warranty and insurance provider, before starting work, which means its figures represent homes that are to be built in the months ahead.

The NHBC's report showed a total of 38,999 semi-detached homes were registered last year - the highest annual total since records started in 1986.

Some 46,118 detached homes were also registered, marking the highest total for this property type since 2004.

In recent years, the number of flats being registered has declined, as the number of family-sized homes being registered has increased.

The NHBC's figures show that the number of detached and semi-detached homes overtook the number of apartments being registered last year. Some 38,912 apartments were registered in 2016.

Overall, 151,687 new homes were registered in 2016, marking a 2% decrease on 2015 but still the second highest annual total since the downturn took effect in 2008.

New-build registrations fell by a third (33%) year-on-year in London in 2016, following a particularly strong period of registrations in the capital in the previous few years as London spearheaded the recovery.

Several regions outside London saw a year-on-year jump in new-build registrations in 2016. Yorkshire and Humberside saw a 27% annual increase in registrations last year, while the South East recorded a 14% uplift and the North West recorded a 12% increase.

Registrations in Wales were up 1% year-on-year, while in Northern Ireland they increased by 2%. In Scotland, registrations fell by 9% year-on-year.

NHBC business development director Mark Jones said: "Taking into account the extraordinary events of 2016, the UK housebuilding sector has remained resilient, despite initial caution around Brexit. We have also seen some strong regional growth outside of London.

"Both industry and consumer confidence remains high and early signs indicate that the new year has begun positively."

Here are the numbers of new-build registrations across the UK in 2016, according to the NHBC, with the percentage change compared with 2015:

:: North East, 6,173, 6%

:: North West, 15,186, 12%

:: Yorkshire and the Humber, 9,669, 27%

:: West Midlands, 13,202, minus 2%

:: East Midlands, 12,209, minus 8%

:: Eastern England, 15,915, minus 5%

:: South West, 16,370, 4%

:: London, 17,322, minus 33%

:: South East, 26,147, 14%

:: Scotland, 11,531, minus 9%

:: Wales, 4,683, 1%

:: Northern Ireland, 3,280, 2%

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